Belgium: Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevost criticized Friday the European Union's position on the situation in Gaza, considering the bloc's foreign policy credibility "in a state of collapse."

According to Qatar News Agency, Prevost stated, "There is no doubt that the European Union (EU) is not living up to its responsibilities in this enormous humanitarian crisis," adding, "It is clear that, in the eyes of the public, the credibility of the European Union's foreign policy on this particular issue is collapsing."

He highlighted the divisions among the 27 member states, which have been unable for months to agree on how to respond to the Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip, which has been ongoing for more than two years.

"There is a moral obligation, and there is also a legal imperative to act; countries are parties to international conventions and treaties that oblige them to take all necessary measures to prevent genocide from occurring," Prevost emphasized. "We must be proactive defenders of international law."

The minister also underlined the importance of sending a "strong political and diplomatic message" to pressure the Israeli government to address the humanitarian emergency in Gaza urgently.

Belgium has decided to impose a series of economic, consular, and other sanctions on Israel and some of its ministers, and has pledged to recognize the State of Palestine.